Blogging : Oh, the places you’ll go and the people you’ll meet
In November 2003 I stumbled onto this medium while sitting in the cold of my garage at a door propped up by a file cabinets. I saw a number of excellent lawyer blogs published by some very fine people. I have had the good fortune to meet many of them on and off line over the last couple years.
One of the blogs that grabbed my immediate attention was Ernie the Attorney published by New Orleans lawyer Ernest Svenson. It still does.
First, because the title grabbed me as so gosh darn funny and irreverent. We needed lawyers who take what they do to help others seriously but not do not take themselves or the profession too seriously. A blog with such a title, and the content needed to live up to it, was bound to, and did in fact, draw attention from people outside the law. Look at the way Ernie has drawn the attention of blog all-stars like Dave Winer, Robert Scoble and Shel Israel.
Second, because I looked at blogs as a good way for lawyers showcase their intellectual capital to enhance their reputation as a lawyer. I saw no way this blog was going to do that. I couldn’t see why lawyers would want to write a blog like Ernie’s.
Third, because of Ernie’s getting on top of the Katrina catastrophe. He provided practical information for victims and highlighted the city’s plight. He now breathes life into what is going to be a long way back for New Orleans.
Fourth, because the guy writes so awful well. Man I wish I had a gift half that strong. I am getting better by writing my blog and I’ll try even harder in ’06. As Rebecca Blood said in her Weblog Handbook, “You can write bad, but for only so long.”
Fifth, because Ernie is not afraid to say what he thinks. If he thinks something is wrong, he’ll challenge it in a constructive and clever manner.
And Sixth, because the guy is as personable as the day is long. I am met him only once, at a conference in Chicago a couple months go. After a beer and participating in a panel with Ernie, I saw the ‘Ernie the Attorney’ blog concept, though not the typical marketing blog, as something that showcases the person. And getting to be known as a person, for what you like, and for what you care about is not bad way of introducing yourself to people.
Continued success in the new year Ernie. We’ll be following you.